WHERE THE SPIES ARE

UK, 1965, 110 minutes, Colour.
David Niven, Francoise Dorleac, John Le Mesurier, Cyril Cusack.
Directed by Val Guest.

Where the Spies are was released in 1965 and reflects the popularity of James Bond. Audiences at the time enjoyed seeing spy heroes with far fetched gadgetery and high adventures, all presented with a slightly comic, even satiric touch. Spectacular scenery and locations were also a help.

This particular film has its cake and eats it. It is a spy adventure in the James Bond tradition It is also a parody because David Niven has the central role of the spy and he brings his suave English debonair gentleman role to that of the spy. It thus cannot be taken too seriously. François Dorleac makes one of her few appearances in an English language film. It was written and directed by Val Guest who has made all kinds of films from British comedies and adventures to sexploitation films.

1. The focus of the title, the irony and the spoof aspect? The spy genre of the Sixties? The impact now? Does it seem in any way dated?

2. The use of colour, Panavision, English locations, Beirut, the world of planes and cars?

3. The importance of the world of gadgets, helicopters, exploding planes, espionage action? What kind of response from audiences? To the realism, to the fantasy and glamour? How good an example of the spy genre of fantasy and gadgets was this?

4. How important is the parody of a genre? How well was this film a parody of spies and espionage? The sixties and the nervous tension on the international level? The humour of spoofing the spy world?

5. The presentation of the British and the Russians? In terms of realism, in terms of comedy? The background of the oil crisis for the world? A sense of realism underlying the humour?

6. The world of the Secret Service and audience response to it? The morality of spying, assassination, exploding planes, torture? How grim was the underlying reality of the film??

7. The picturing and characterizing of the spies? How much sense of realism? How much grimness? McGillivary? and his work as control? His right to control spies? His personal involvement? Rosa as a spy? Parkington and his style?

8. How well did Dr. Lovic fit into his atmosphere? The David Niven hero and anti hero? His being bribed for a car? His involvment? The discovery of disaster and danger? Relationship with Vikki? His participation in the climax What had he achieved by the end of the film?

9, How enjoyable was the films level of adventure? Exotic adventure?

10. How convincing a spy was Vikki? Her role as a double agent? The emotional involvement? An interesting character for a spy film?

11. Comment on the wit and humour and dialogue of some of the comedy sequences.

12. What presuppositions about human nature do films like this have? Catering for audiences likes and dislikes? How successful was this film?